Gorges de La Bourne OAB

May 26, 2025

I woke feeling much better, as can be seen in the “body battery” screenshot below (from today, Wednesday—I’m a little behind on this journal). My fears that we might have to abandon the tour or make major modifications were ebbing.

I still wasn’t sure I’d want to ride up the Gorges de La Bourne fully loaded, as originally planned for tomorrow, so that meant today I needed to choose between doing an unloaded OAB through Gorges de La Bourne or a loop through Combe Laval. Each were rides I wanted to repeat and I only had one day. I looked out the window to see the tops of the cliffs cloaked in grey cloud so decided on Gorges de La Bourne.

At breakfast, Susan decided to join Al and me. Janos and Suzanne were going to do a version of Susan’s ride from yesterday and Scott was still mulling his plans and wondering if the confiscated suitcase would get released and shipped. Rachel, of course, was planning a hike.

The three of us had a lovely ride to the top of the gorge at Les Jarrands and back. For myself, I was pleasantly tired afterwards, not exhausted, and none of the pain I’d been experiencing for the last few days. An improving trend!

For now, I’m going to leave the photos mostly uncaptioned. They were taken by me excerpt those taken by Al (AZ) or Susan (SC). Bring me, I processed all of them a bit.

SC I put this in because Susan was pleased to have captured my facial expression when climbing. I have no opinion!

Susan found a camping-car. I wish I’d caught her facial expression!

There’s a cyclable path around the longest tunnel (though it’s not very long and is well lit) as you ride uphill. Coming down, better to go through the tunnel because the left turn required above the tunnel wouldn’t be advisable when you don’t have a clear view of oncoming traffic. It’s quite possible to stop and cross the road just after the tunnel. Why? There’s a nice viewpoint.

(AZ) Titanium bike meet-up! At the viewpoint.

The path around the tunnel, presumably the old road. The current road can be seen middle right of the photo.

We heard later from Scott Anderson that the road between here and St-Julien also travels through a scenic gorge.

Seen from the bridge off camera to the right in the photo above

Approaching Choranche on the way back down

We were all getting hungry when we turned around to head back to Pont-en-Royans, but also aware that the offerings available there were limited. When we regrouped in Choranche, we were right by a small restaurant and it was open! The menu looked good too so decision made.

(SC) Eating our fantastic ravioles in Choranche.

Later, we had dinner with the “Group of Seven” at the Beau Rivage, the other open hotel-restaurant in the village. A nice change from our hotel’s menu. Al and I both ordered a two-course formule; he got an entrée and plat, I got a plat and dessert. We shared the entrée, which turned out to be every bit as big as one of the “giant salads” listed on the menu, and the dessert. We got the quantity just right this time.

The company was excellent, of course!

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Today's ride: 43 km (27 miles)
Total: 220 km (137 miles)

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Kelly IniguezRemember the movie The Magnificent Seven? There you go!
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2 weeks ago

Jacquie GaudetTo Kelly IniguezI can’t remember if I saw that. I was thinking of the Canadian landscape painters.
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2 weeks ago

Kelly IniguezTo Jacquie GaudetIt's a good old cowboy movie, with the (seven) heroes striding through town with their sharp shooters to save the day.
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2 weeks ago

Kirsten KaarsooI am so glad to hear you are feeling better. I hope you keep improving.
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2 weeks ago

Jacquie GaudetTo Kirsten KaarsooMe too! I was so afraid we’d have to bail and go home.
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2 weeks ago